For the first time ever, Parkes Elvis Festival fans can catch three incredible international artists, headlining the 32nd annual event. Returning favourite Cote Deonath will headline the Feature Concert Series, joined by recently crowned Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist champion, Emilio Santoro, and up-and-coming star Riley Jenkins in eight shows backed by the dynamic twelve-piece TIC band. The Feature Concert Series is held at the Parkes Leagues Club from January 8-12. COTE DEONATH Cote Deonath is a world-renowned Elvis Presley tribute artist who has dedicated his life to preserving and celebrating the music and legacy of the King of Rock and Roll. Cote’s love for Elvis began at a young age when his grandmother introduced him to the music and style of the icon. At just two years old, Cote began singing Elvis tunes, and his passion for performing only grew from there. Over the years, Cote has traveled the world to compete in Elvis tribute contests, taking home the gold in numerous competitions and earning over 35 fan-favorite titles. His incredible talent and dedication to his craft have made him a beloved figure among fans of Elvis and tribute artists alike. In addition to his impressive performing career, Cote is also a successful entrepreneur. He founded his own production company, 49th Place Productions, in 2018 and established a brand called ETA Festivals in 2019. Through these ventures, Cote works with Elvis Presley Enterprises and Graceland as the largest festival producer in the world to produce ten festivals a year and 35 plus tribute concerts yearly. Cote’s hard work and dedication paid off in a big way in 2023, when he competed at Elvis Week for the 7th year in a row in the Ultimate Elvis Contest and captured the Ultimate Elvis title. This incredible achievement made him one of the number-one Elvis tribute artist in the world, as recognized by Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises. Despite his many accomplishments, Cote remains humble and grateful for the opportunity to honor the legacy of Elvis through his music and performances. He continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world with his incredible talent and passion for the King of Rock and Roll. EMILIO SANTORO Throughout the last five years Emilio has been making a huge impression everywhere he turns. In August of this year, his efforts and experience won him the hugely coveted 2024 EPE Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Championship. Emilio hails from Weston-s-Mare and has been rising through the Elvis Tribute Artist ranks for a few years now. He has picked up multiple awards and fans along the way and in 2019 he made his long-awaited USA debut in Elvis’s hometown of Memphis during Elvis week. His 2019 Elvis week experience culminated with the ‘Images of the King’ World Championship Non Pro Division where he triumphed at just 17 years of age. Following on from Memphis Emilio entered the 2019 Porthcawl contest and walked away as Grand Champion. He then completed the ‘Hat Trick’ in Blackpool at the ‘Return to Memphis’ contest in early November – it seems 2019 was Emilio’s breakthrough year… In 2020, Emilio also produced his first two albums ‘With Love’ and ‘The Christmas Album’. His third album ‘At the Movies’ followed in 2021. 2022 started with a huge bang as Emilio was victorious in the 2022 European Elvis Championships in Birmingham UK which means he has now completed a ‘clean sweep’ of all the available European titles. This European title resulted in national media attention. RILEY JENKINS Riley Jenkins is an award-winning Elvis Tribute Artist, who’s love for music and for Elvis Presley came at an early age of three years old when he heard “The King” sing “Blue Suede Shoes” for the first time. At just 22 years of age, Riley is taking the tribute artist industry by storm with his tribute to the Early Years of “The Greatest Entertainer of All Time.” Riley’s tribute to Elvis takes you back in time to 1956 when a shy, humble boy from Tupelo, Mississippi changed the face of American music and pop culture. Some of Riley’s accolades include being the 2019 Elvis FANtasy Fest Grand Champion, the 2021 Heart of the King Horizon Award, the 2023 Nashville Elvis Festival Grand Champion, and the 2024 Branson Elvis Festival Grand Champion. This August, Riley placed as one of the Top 5 Finalists of the 2024 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest held every year at Graceland in Memphis during Elvis Week. Currently Riley is starring as Elvis in the Tony Award Winning Broadway Musical “Million Dollar Quartet” in at The Shepherd of the Hills in Branson, Missouri. With his charming looks, uncanny voice, charismatic moves, and West Tennessee roots, Riley embodies the raw magnitude that Elvis had when he exploded onto the scene back in the 1950’s. As he continues to climb the mountain of success higher and higher, his growing legion of adoring fans have given him the nickname, “The Tennessee Dynamite.”
